Driver Leads Police On Chase Through Valley

Thu., June 22, 2000

A driver led police on a 10-mile chase through the Spokane Valley on Wednesday morning, running stoplights and driving into oncoming traffic lanes, authorities said.

The chase ended without injuries. Kimbell L. Cummins, 40, of Kettle Falls, Wash., was booked into jail on felony charges of attempting to elude police and second-degree possession of stolen property.

The chase began near Sprague Avenue and Havana Street about 9:30 a.m. when Deputy Mark Smoldt saw a 1980 Subaru parked in the area.

Smoldt checked the car’s license plate and discovered it had been reported stolen June 14. When Smoldt was turning around to drive back to the parked car, police say, Cummins jumped in and drove away.

Police say Cummins headed east down Sprague, running stop signs and red lights, with Smoldt in pursuit. The chase never reached speeds higher than 60 mph.

Once the pursuit reached Trent Avenue and Pines Road, a Washington State Patrol trooper joined in.

The driver turned down Forker Road and tried turning west onto Bigelow Gulch, police said. At that point, the state trooper hit the back end of the Subaru, spinning it sideways and ending the chase.

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Dave Reagan said officers believe Cummins may have been under the influence of methamphetamine.

After being observed at a local hospital, Cummins was booked into jail. Cummins had an outstanding felony arrest warrant in Stevens County for a probation violation.

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